PM Abbasi to attend OIC meeting on Palestine tomorrow

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi will depart for Turkey on Thursday to attend a special summit of Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to discuss recent massacre of innocent Palestinians by Israeli forces.

Foreign Offices Spokesperson Dr Muhammad Faisa confirmed during weekly news briefing in Islamabad that PM Abbasi will be visiting on the invited on his Turkish counterpart Binali Yildirim.

He said Pakistan believes in a two-state solution of the Palestine dispute and in accordance with the UN resolutions, and that the entire Muslim world is united over this issue.

Indian media is active against Pakistan

Answering a question, he said India uses Pakistan card to influence its internal politics. He said Indian media is active and New Delhi is also trying to divert attention of the international community from the atrocities in Occupied Kashmir.

He regretted that daughter of noted poet Faiz Ahmad Faiz was not allowed to attend a function in India. He said Pakistan has always tried to tone down Indian aggression, but is not oblivious to the rapid armed buildup and induction of destabilising weapons system in the neighbourhood.

He said Pakistan is committed to a policy of restraint and avoidance of armed race in South Asia, but will take necessary steps to safeguard its vital interests.

Col Joseph left after assurance of trial in US

Answering another question, the spokesman said travel restrictions on diplomats of both Pakistan and the United States have been enforced. He said now diplomats and their families will have to seek prior permission to travel outside the radius of 25 miles.

He said US military attaché Colonel Joseph had diplomatic immunity and was allowed to leave Pakistan on the assurance that he will be tried in a US court for killing a Pakistani citizen in road accident.

Bilateral relations with Afghanistan, Iran

Regarding fourth round of Pakistan-Afghanistan discussions in Islamabad, the spokesperson said both the countries have finalised Afghanistan-Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Solidarity (APAPS).

He said the plan provides a framework to strengthen mutual trust, deepen interaction in all spheres of bilateral engagements and also provides a mechanism to final solutions for areas of mutual concerns.

He said APAPS will continue towards common objective of eliminating terrorism and help achieving peace stability, prosperity and development of the two countries.

He added Pakistan as a neighbour will continue engagements with Iran and is against unilateral sanctions against Tehran.